<BR>We too found that we spend more on AI. If you want to eat eat eat or are a big boozer then do it, or I guess if you never left the hotel property it would be wonderful. It was too much trouble for us to have to return to the hotel every time we got hungry. Not always convenient. And there are always intriguing looking restaurants with great views & wonderful smells coming from them. <BR> <BR>I'd go AI if we were returning to one of the islands we've done repeat visits to & didn't plan to explore. <BR> <BR>If you're going for snorkel or scuba, I'd recommend the Cayman Islands -- especially for a first trip.

We stayed at the Bucuti Beach Resort twice and liked it a lot. It's right on the beach, the rooms are clean and spacious, there is a good restaurant (Pirate's Ship or something?) nearby on the beach, and the larger (but less luxurious) Manchebo Beach Hotel is next door. There is also a casino nearby with a good restaurant. So plenty of places to eat, things to do. I should add though that the last time we stayed there is eight years ago, so things may have changed a bit in the meantime.

<BR>Cruising's fine, but do check the amount of time you'll have in each port. You may not have much island time. And remember, the areas they drop you in are quite often NOT representative of the island. If you have to catch a tender to shore & back, there goes some of your shore time. <BR> <BR>Cruising is usually crowded & there's a lot of standing in line & just wandering around looking for something to do. <BR> <BR>If you want to see a boat (& casinos) take a cruise. If you want to see an island, go to an island. Cruising is fun & a safe way to introduce yourself to travel though. <BR> <BR>Curious, what lack of amentities concerns you? Also curious about your statement about snorkeling being the best in Aruba bar none. If it's snorkeling you're looking for, Grand Cayman would be a great choice. Cousteau (son) has given it his seal of approval & has some sort of study/research operation there. That speaks volumes for the quality of the water & abundance of sealife. People will say it's expensive, but that depends on you --- where you stay, where you eat, how you budget. Aruba or St. Thomas will be the same. <BR> <BR>For a first time out, I'd recommend Cayman.